Pastel Skies {Bridgerton}

Chapter 1

Dear Reader,
There seems to be something in the air tonight, this author does not know what, perhaps something will happen at Lady Danbury's ball. Surely I shall have to keep my eyes and ears open do not worry.
Lady Whistledown's Society Paper 24, April 1813

At almost thirty years of age. Anthony Bridgerton sat at his desk in the study staring at his father's portrait for some time now, he turned his gaze down to where papers littered and books lay open. Running a hand through his thick chestnut hair he sighed if only he did not have to attend tonight's ball. The sky had turned dark and stormy as he awaited the beautiful sound of rain. If he was fortunate there would be lightning maybe even thunder. Although it was not the rain he heard but the melancholic hymn of a piano that reached his ears. Could not be Daphne for she was out with their mother nor could it be Eloise, she did not enjoy it and his youngest sister was not accomplished by any means. Anthony stood following the sound his eyes landing across the road on the crimson house his mouth parted someone sat, with their back turned to him, playing the piano. Drawing room windows wide open. Who could that possibly be he wondered?

The grand house across the Bridgerton residence had sat bare for many years. No one entered and it had been forgotten the last time anyone went in. The outside kept beautiful throughout the seasons as if at any moment the Lord and Lady would return. Anthony however gaped at the young woman in dark grey playing. He stood still, hypnotized by her song so much he didn't even notice when the carriage pulled up with his mother and sister. Nor when Viscountess Bridgerton had knocked, Violet had even entered the study His mother looked observing her son's gaze she too looked down into the room with the windows open. The smallest of smiles formed for she had seen him look at a girl that way before. Oh yes, but it had been in his childhood.

*

Grand Duchess Marie DeGrave strode into the drawing-room searching for her granddaughter, "What on earth are you doing?" she exclaimed once she saw the windows she hurried over to enclose them  "You'll catch your death." "If only." the girl let out barely audible. "Windows wide open never in my da- will you stop playing!" Marie banged her cane on the carpet-covered floor the girl looked up stopping "Yes, Grandmama?" Marie sighed irritated "Tonight is Lady Danbury's ball you must get ready." she pointed her cane a the girl, her granddaughter's shoulders slumped "As much as I enjoy Lady Danbury must we attend?" "Yes and no excuses we had a deal. We'd arrive after the debutants were presented to Queen Charlotte and you'd attend the ball to find yourself a suitor. Now come along." Marie ushered the girl towards the door "You know we could try to find someone in America." the comment earned her a whack from her grandmother's fan.

Lady Danbury's ballroom was decorated most beautifully everything glistened in the light of the candles. The ladies wore their most stunning dresses and the gentleman in their fanciest suits. But none of that made a difference to Elizabeth DeGrave who stood next to her grandmother rooted to the floor, already earning her a modest strike of the fan in the hand of her grandmother. "Do my eyes deceive me? Have I gone into the light? Duchess DeGrave and her granddaughter as I live and breathe!" Lady Danbury hit her cane on the floor as she came over to the "My how old you have gotten." Marie looked her up and down with her ice-blue eyes. Bea's eyes widened at the statement leave it to her grandmother to be so bold so early in the evening "Please if I am old you're ancient." Lady Danbury retorted laughing loudly. Danbury turned to the girl who had relaxed a little "It is wonderful to see you, Lady Danbury." Bea curtsied and smiled earnestly "You have turned into a beauty, my dear. But do not spoil me. You are the second person to say that to me. If I did not know any better I would say you two share a mind. He is around here somewhere." Lady Danbury searching for someone, then beamed spotting the person to whom she referred to.